You walked the streets, thinking about the boring routine that had become your life. The same dull routine, day after day, had taken its toll on your spirit, leaving you feeling disconnected from the vibrancy of the world around you. A gray sky matched your mood, and the rhythmic clatter of your footsteps on the cobblestones only emphasized the monotony. Shops lined the street, their displays of colorful wares doing little to lift your spirits as you dragged your feet towards your house.

Suddenly, a piercing scream shattered the dull quiet of the afternoon. Your heart skipped a beat as you looked around, trying to locate the source of the commotion. Down the street, you spotted a man running hurriedly, his face twisted in anger. Right in front of him, a small boy with a disheveled appearance was sprinting frantically, clutching a piece of bread in his grubby hand. The boy's clothes were tattered, and his wild eyes darted around in panic.

In an instant, the boy darted towards you, his small frame almost colliding with your legs. Without thinking twice, he slipped behind you, using your body as a shield. His breath came in rapid gasps, and his wide, pleading eyes looked up at you, silently asking for help.